The Information Resource Centre for
Labour Migrants (IRCLM) was established in Dushanbe in January 2004 by the
International Organization for Migration (IOM) with the financial support of the
OSCE Centre in Dushanbe. IRCLM has since May 2007 been financed by the generous
support of the European Union and expanded its activities further.
While earlier the information on labour migration for
citizens of Tajikistan was largely a monopoly of recruiters, smugglers and
traffickers, after its establishment the centre has played an important role in
providing information and counselling to many individual migrants and the
general public. The creation of an Information Resource Centre for Labour
Migrants has enhanced the awareness level of labour migrants and intending
economic migrants. By way of service oriented consultation, communication and
establishing contacts, trained resource persons have made available accurate
information related to labour migration and the legal, social, economic and
cultural realities of transit and destination areas and the risks of irregular
migration. Intending labour migrants have also been able to engage in dialogue
with migration, employment and education authorities.
The IRCLM provides labour migrants and potential labour
migrants with legal information about travels, border crossing, customs check,
housing, registration, work permit, employment agencies, travel and employment
risks including human trafficking, information about access to medical service,
medical insurance, taxation, remittance and about administrative punishment of
violations of arrival orders.
In addition to the activities in the centre in Dushanbe,
IRCLM has also conducted counselling work in regions in close collaboration with
governmental structures, NGOs, local jamoat leaders and mass media. This work
has been aimed at providing counselling to vulnerable groups and disseminating
information materials throughout the country. Through its cooperation with the
media, the centre has had campaigns in TV and radio on migration related issues.
The IRCLM publishes brochures, booklets and useful flyers for
labour migrants about all aspects of migration. The information material also
includes useful telephone numbers and contacts of organization that can help
solve problems encountered abroad. In August 2005 IRCLM launched a website for
labour migrants - “Diary of labour migrants”, www.migrant.tj - where they can
find all information regarding labour migration, news and migration legislation
of Tajikistan and receiving country as well. Furthermore labour migrants have
the opportunity to use Internet in the centre in Dushanbe for seeking
information about country, job, employer etc.
Another part of the IRCLM’s activities cover joint work with ministries and
departments of Tajikistan, participation in workshops and conferences on various
issues regarding migration. During the relatively short period of time of
existence, IRCLM has become the leading organizations in providing information
to labour migrants. The centre has also been providing up-to-date information on
labour migration to units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of
Tajikistan, the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Republic of
Tajikistan, international and local
To expand the geographic coverage of IRCLM, area offices of
the centre are being established in different regions throughout Tajikistan. The
centres will be or have been established Khujand, Kulyab, Khorog, Aini, Hissar
and Rasht areas.
